French Bread Sloppy Joes Recipe

Introduction

French Bread Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on the classic sandwich, offering bold flavors layered on crispy, buttery bread. This recipe combines savory ground beef with melted cheeses on a warm French loaf for a satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (or Italian bread)
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup yellow onion (diced)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese (grated)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (grated)
• 1 tbsp parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the French bread in half lengthwise and place both halves on a lined baking sheet.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Spread this mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden and toasted. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
3. Step 3: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onions until the meat is cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
4. Step 4: Add the water, ketchup, yellow mustard, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and black pepper to the beef mixture. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, combine the grated cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, mixing them together thoroughly.
6. Step 6: Spread the Sloppy Joe beef mixture evenly onto the toasted bread halves. Sprinkle the mixed cheeses generously on top.
7. Step 7: Place the assembled sandwiches back in the oven at 350°F and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. For a golden, bubbly top, broil the sandwiches for an additional 1 minute if desired.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if using. Slice and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses like Monterey Jack or mozzarella if you prefer a milder flavor.
• For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• Make it vegetarian by substituting ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
• Toast the bread under the broiler for a quicker option, watching closely to prevent burning.

Storage

Store leftover Sloppy Joe sandwiches in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave until heated through. Cheese may not be as melty after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, Italian bread or any crusty loaf works well. Even sandwich rolls or hoagie buns can be used for individual portions.

Can I prepare the beef mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely. The beef mixture can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling on the bread and baking.

French Bread Sloppy Joes Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 73 reviews

This French Bread Sloppy Joes recipe elevates the classic comfort food by serving the savory, cheesy sloppy joe mixture on crisped French bread. The bread is first toasted with garlic butter for added flavor and crunch, then topped with a perfectly seasoned ground beef mix, tangy ketchup, mustard, and melted melting pepper jack and cheddar cheeses. Finished off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this satisfying dish combines rich flavors and textures for a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy.

• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Bread:

• 1 loaf French bread (or Italian bread)
• 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt

For the Sloppy Joe Mix:

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1/4 cup Yellow onion (diced)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Yellow mustard
• 3/4 cup Ketchup
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 cup Water

For the Cheese Topping:

• 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese (grated)
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese (grated)

Optional Garnish:

• 1 tbsp Parsley (chopped)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). This step ensures the bread will toast evenly and develop a golden crust.
2. Prepare the bread: Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise and place the halves cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
3. Make garlic butter spread: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Mix until well blended.
4. Toast the bread: Spread the seasoned butter evenly over both bread halves. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and slightly crisp. Remove from oven and set aside. Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C) for the next step.
5. Cook the beef and onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and fully cooked, roughly 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
6. Add the Sloppy Joe sauce ingredients: Stir in 1/2 cup water, 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into the cooked beef mixture. Simmer the mixture on low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Mix the cheeses: In a bowl, combine the grated pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese until well blended. This cheese mixture will add creamy, melty richness to the sandwiches.
8. Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Evenly spread the beef mixture over the toasted bread halves. Then sprinkle the cheese blend generously on top of the beef.
9. Bake to melt cheese: Return the assembled bread halves to the oven set at 350°F and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For an extra golden top, broil for an additional 1 minute, watching carefully to prevent burning.
10. Serve: Remove from the oven and let the sloppy joes rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, slice into portions, and serve warm for a delicious and hearty meal.

Notes

• You can substitute Italian bread if French bread is unavailable.
• For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
• If preferred, use low-fat ground beef or ground turkey for a leaner option.
• To make the bread crispier, toast it a bit longer before assembling.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain texture.

Keywords: French Bread Sloppy Joes, sloppy joes, French bread sandwiches, cheesy sloppy joes, comfort food, ground beef recipe